Rudrashtakam

Rudrashtakam is an eight verse Octet (Ashtakam) or a rhyming prayer dedicated to the Vedic god Rudra. Rudra is regarded as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Rudrashtakam finds its origins in the –epic of Ramcharitmanas written by the Great Goswami Tulsidas (16th century AD) in Varanasi, the Holy city of Lord Shiva. He was writing the Ramayan in the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga temple and it was due to the grace of Lord Shiva that it could be composed and thus dedicated this hymn in his praise.

 

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं। विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपं।

निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं। चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजे हं॥1॥

Namam Meesana Nirvana Roopam
Vibhum vyapakam Brahma Veda Swaroopam
Nijam Nirgunam Nirvikalpam Nireeham
Chidakasamaakasa Vasam Bhajeham

I bow to the Ruler of the Universe, whose very form is Liberation, the omnipotent and all pervading Brahma, manifest as the Vedas. I worship Shiva, shining in his own glory, without physical qualities, Undifferentiated, desireless, and changeless all pervading sky of consciousness and wearing the sky itself as His garment. ||1||

निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयं। गिरा ग्यान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशं।

करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं। गुणागार संसारपारं नतो हं॥2॥

Niraakara Monkaara Moolam Thureeyam
Giraa Jnana Gotheethamesam Gireesam
Karalam Maha Kala Kalam Krupalam
Gunaa Gara Samsara Param Nathoham

I bow to the supreme Lord who is the formless source of “OM” The Self of All, transcending all conditions and states, beyond speech, understanding and sense perception, Awe-full, but gracious, the ruler of Kailash, Devourer of Death, the immortal abode of all virtues. ||2||

तुषाराद्रि संकाश गौरं गम्भीरं। मनोभूत कोटि प्रभा श्री शरीरं। 

स्फुरन्मौलि कल्लोलिनी चारु गंगा। लसद्भालबालेन्दु कण्ठे भुजंगा॥3॥

Thushaaraadhi Sankasa Gowram Gabheeram,
Mano Bhootha Koti Prabha Sree Sareeram,
Sphuran Mouli Kallolini Charu Ganga,
Lasaddala Balendu Kante Bhujanga

I worship Shankar, whose form is white as the Himalayan snow, Radiant with the majestic beauty of countless Cupids, Whose head sparkles with the Ganga, With crescent moon adorning his brow and snakes coiling his neck.. ||3||

चलत्कुण्डलं भ्रू सुनेत्रं विशालं। प्रसन्नाननं नीलकण्ठं दयालं।

मृगाधीशचर्माम्बरं मुण्डमालं। प्रियं शंकरं सर्वनाथं भजामि॥4॥

Chalath Kundalam Bru Sunethram Vishaalam,
Prasannananam Neela Kandam Dhayalam,
Mugadheesa Charmambaeam Munda Malam,
Priyam Shankaram Sarva Nadham Bhajami

The beloved Lord of All, with shimmering pendants hanging from his ears, Beautiful eyebrows and large eyes, Full of Mercy with a cheerful countenance and a blue speck on his throat, wearing a lion skin around the waist and a garland of skulls.  ||4||

प्रचण्डं प्रकृष्टं प्रगल्भं परेशं। अखण्डं अजं भानुकोटिप्रकाशम्।

त्रय: शूल निर्मूलनं शूलपाणिं। भजे हं भवानीपतिं भावगम्यं॥5॥

Prachandam Prakrushtam Prakalbham Paresam, 

Akhandam Ajam Bhanu Koti Prakasam,
Thraya Soola Nirmoolanam Soola Panim,
Bhajeham Bhavani Pathim Bhava Gamyam

I worship Shankar, Bhavani’s husband, the fierce, exalted, luminous supreme Lord. Indivisible, unborn and radiant with the glory of a million suns; Who, holding a trident, tears out the root of the three-fold suffering, And who is reached only through Love. ||5||

कलातीत कल्याण कल्पांतकारी। सदासज्जनानन्ददाता पुरारी।

चिदानन्द संदोह मोहापहारी। प्रसीद प्रसीद प्रभो मन्मथारी॥6॥

Kalatheetha Kalyani Kalpanthakari,
Sada Sajjananda Datha Purari,
Chidananda Sandoha Mohapahari,
Praseeda Praseeda Prabho Mamamadhari

You who are without parts, ever blessed, the cause of universal destruction at the end of each round of creation, a source of perpetual delight to the pure of heart, Slayer of the demon, Tripura, consciousness and bliss personified, Dispeller of delusion Have mercy on me, foe of Lust. ||6||

न यावद् उमानाथ पादारविंदं। भजंतीह लोके परे वा नराणां।

न तावत्सुखं शान्ति सन्तापनाशं। प्रसीद प्रभो सर्वभूताधिवासं॥7॥

Na Yavad Umanada Padaravindam,
Bhajantheeha Loke Pare Vaa Naraanaam,
Na Thath Sukham Shanthi Santhapa Nasam,
Praseedha Prabho Sarva Bhoothadhivasam

Oh Lord of Uma, so long as you are not worshipped there is no happiness, peace or freedom from suffering in this world or the next. You who dwell in the hearts of all living beings, and in whom all beings have their existence, Have mercy on me, Lord. ||7||

न जानामि योगं जपं नैव पूजां। नतो हं सदा सर्वदा शम्भु तुभ्यं।

जराजन्म दु:खौघ तातप्यमानं। प्रभो पाहि आपन्न्मामीश शंभो॥8॥

Na Janami Yogam, Japam, Naiva Poojaam,
Nathoham Sada Sarvadha Shambhu Thubhyam,
Jara Janma Dukhogha Thathpyamanam,
Prabho Pahi Aapannamameesa Shambho

I don’t know yoga, prayer or rituals, but everywhere and at every moment, I bow to you, Shambhu! Protect me my Lord, miserable and afflicted as I am with the sufferings of birth, old-age and death. ||8||.

रुद्राष्टकमिदं प्रोक्तं विप्रेण हरतोषये।

ये पठन्ति नरा भक्तया तेषां शम्भु: प्रसीदति॥

Rudhrashtakam Idham Proktham Viprena Hara Thoshaye,
Ye Padanthi Naraa Bhakthya Thesham Shambhu Praseedathi

This eightfold hymn of praise was sung by the Brahman to please Shankar. Shambhu will be pleased with those whoever recites it with full devotion.